Max Starks spent the first nine years of his NFL career blocking for Ben Roethlisberger.

Before that, he blocked for Philip Rivers.

He remembers. It was easier.

The Chargers left tackle had his first practice with his new team Monday, about two weeks after signing a one-year contract worth up to $2.25 million. Starks, 31, worked with the second-team unit in his debut, so he hasn’t blocked for Rivers since January 2004 at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

Rivers is truer to the pocket than the mobile Steelers quarterback.

“It makes it a little bit easier — I know where he’s going to be,” Starks said with a laugh. “I think that’s one of the things when you have a pocket passer. Ben, obviously, is a quarterback that likes to move people with his feet. But I think the strength of Philip is his football IQ. He’s going to move the line to wherever the defense is so he doesn’t have to do it with his feet. It’s a give-and-take, and it’s still a very good thing.”

This was Starks’ first Chargers practice, but he arrived at the team complex last week when other veterans had time off.

He met with offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, reviewing the playbook to ease his transition onto the field. While expected to start at left tackle, Stark must first earn those reps in a competition with King Dunlap.

The playbook offers some familiarity for Starks. He worked with offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt in Pittsburgh from 2004 to 2006.

“A lot of the words carry over,” he said, “but the terminology between offensive linemen is probably the biggest nuance I have to get over.”

The 2004 Senior Bowl only helped Rivers’ draft stock.

He impressed teams in interviews and during practice, following it up with the game’s MVP award. And there was Starks to his blindside in a bright orange Florida helmet, blocking as Rivers performed.

“That Senior Bowl is the reason why I’m standing here, so he did all right,” Rivers said with a smile. “He’s a pro. As far as where he ends up, where he fits in, that will all play out over the next few months.

“But you know you’re getting a veteran and a pro that’s played both sides. He’s a good addition to the group.”

Rising reps

Vincent Brown’s participation level has risen steadily during the Chargers’ organized team activities.

In the third week, it reached a new height.

The wide receiver mixed in with the starters Monday for the first time this offseason, rotating with Malcom Floyd opposite Danario Alexander. While too much can be made of a player’s June practice reps, Brown is expected to see a pronounced role in his third season.

That role would have come in 2012 if not for an August broken ankle. The former third-round pick out of San Diego State missed the entire year with the preseason injury, but he is fully recovered now.

Coach Mike McCoy said he anticipates Brown will “without a doubt” be a big part of the team’s offense.

“He’s been great,” McCoy said. “We laid out a plan for him early on, and he’s one of those kids who want to go full speed, 100 miles per hour every play. So we were holding back a little bit when we first got on the field, and it’s just a process we’re going through.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• Undrafted rookie cornerback Josh Johnson had two interceptions with a pass breakup in the end zone. Celebrating turnovers was a talking point weeks ago, and the defense has run with it, jumping and hollering. “He was right,” inside linebacker Donald Butler said of McCoy. “I totally agree. Obviously, we’re overdoing it now … but everybody’s having fun.”